Not one iTaukei land has been lost under my government - PM

“Not one iTaukei land has been lost under my government.”

This statement was made by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while officiating at the ground breaking ceremony for iTaukei land at Yadua in Nadroga.

Bainimarama says the motivation for the project is rooted in his deeply held belief to assist all Fijians without discrimination and recognise the ability of all Fijians.

He says today around 91 percent of the land in Fiji is owned by the iTaukei and never have the iTaukei been more secure with the opportunity to improve their lives.

The Prime Minister says the iTaukei people have long faced the issue of being asset rich but cash poor.

Bainimarama says this is the first ever government funded development of iTaukei land as many land owning units do not have the funds to carry out development.

The ground breaking marks the beginning of the first phase of development works and have been a result of Government's $10 million initiative which was announced three years ago to assist landowners to be able to develop their own land for economic activity whether residential or commercial.

The Prime Minister says the sub division project in Yadua is one of the first four projects under this grant with the development of 13 residential lots at a total cost of nearly $2.5 million.